Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-480.3

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 8, October 30, 2024

Rule 761-480.3 - General requirements

(1) A police authority shall report an abandoned vehicle to the department only if it is remitting unclaimed profits or requesting reimbursement.

(2) A private entity designated by a police authority to process an abandoned vehicle may request reimbursement of expenses that are in excess of the proceeds of the sale of the abandoned vehicle.

(3) To request reimbursement, the police authority or private entity shall complete and submit to the department an abandoned vehicle report on a form and in the manner prescribed by the department. Other forms may be accepted if they contain all information deemed necessary by the department.

(4) A police authority shall also complete and submit the prescribed abandoned vehicle report form when remitting unclaimed profits pursuant to rule 761-480.7 (321).

(5) The department shall reimburse the police authority or private entity only for losses incurred in disposing of a vehicle abandoned on a public highway.

(6) If a police authority has designated a private entity to process an abandoned vehicle, the police authority shall provide to the private entity a certificate of disposal form prescribed by the department. On the form, the police authority shall provide a description of the vehicle and list the name and address of the last registered owner, all known lienholders of record, and any other known claimants to the vehicle.

(7) If a police authority has designated a private entity to process an abandoned vehicle, the police authority is eligible for reimbursement of only the towing expense.

(8) A police authority or a private entity designated by a police authority holding a public auction may set the initial bid at an amount that equals the actual cost of storage and towing.

(9) A police authority or private entity processing an abandoned vehicle shall maintain records for three years from the sale at a public auction or transfer of a motor vehicle to a demolisher. The records shall be open to inspection by any peace officer or any employee of the department. The required documents to be made available for inspection shall include:

a. The motor vehicle record request results letter issued by the department with lien information or evidence that a motor vehicle record was reviewed for owners and liens through other legal means.

b. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) report when no Iowa owner or lienholders are identified.

c. The impound report with the date of abandonment.

d. One copy of the dated notice sent by the police authority or private entity to each owner and lienholder or proof of publication of notice with the publication date visible.

e. One copy of actual newspaper page advertising each public auction with advertisement and date visible.

f. A copy of the certificate of disposal for the private entity.

g. The bidder registry for the police authority or private entity designated by a police authority holding a public auction.

h. A copy of affidavit of sale on a form prescribed by the department.

(10) A police authority or private entity shall verify that the provisions of this chapter have been executed, prior to the sale of the abandoned vehicle, on a form prescribed by the department.

(11) A police authority or private entity shall be limited to two attempts at selling an abandoned vehicle at a public auction. If the police authority or private entity cannot make a satisfactory sale at two public auctions, or if a sale cannot otherwise be made with enough proceeds to cover the expenses and costs in carrying out the abandoned vehicle process, the police authority or private entity shall sell or dispose of the vehicle to a demolisher for junk.

(12) A purchaser in good faith of a motor vehicle sold as a result of the abandoned vehicle process takes the motor vehicle free of all rights of all persons, including holders of preexisting liens, notwithstanding any police authority or private entity's noncompliance with this chapter.

(13) Upon presentation of a sales receipt, a county official shall process the registration and issuance of title to the purchaser free of all rights of all persons, including holders of preexisting liens, notwithstanding any police authority or private entity's noncompliance with this chapter.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-480.3

Amended by IAB November 4, 2020/Volume XLIII, Number 10, effective 12/9/2020